From Battling Lyme Disease and Mold Toxicity to Conscious Living and Thriving

by Alexandra Brook-Clark, Founder of Armur Health

For years, I lived in survival mode without even realizing it. My body was fighting a battle I couldn’t see— one that was slowly breaking me down from the inside out. What began as unexplained fatigue and brain fog spiraled into full-blown chronic illness: Lyme disease, parasites, mold toxicity, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). I was existing, not living. Every day felt like wading through mud with no energy, no clarity, and no end in sight.

During that time, I saw countless doctors, ran endless tests, and tried everything from antibiotics to herbal protocols. Each time I’d start to feel a glimmer of hope, I’d crash again — worse than before. My immune system was in chaos, my hormones were off, and I was neurologically declining. I’d wake up exhausted, my head pounding, with thoughts of doom and anxiety taking over, and my body swollen with inflammation. Even my mind didn’t feel like my own anymore. I was irritable, foggy, and constantly anxious.

We Found Mold in Our Home

It wasn’t until I discovered mold toxicity that the pieces finally began to make sense. I had been living in what I thought was a safe, cozy home. We had just moved from NYC to Boston and had found our perfect home, an old post office that had been renovated into a brownstone. The home wasn’t visibly moldy—there were no black spots on the walls or musty smells that screamed “danger”, but after gaining a massive amount of weight and plateauing in my healing journey with no changes in my life other than our new home, one of my doctor’s suspected my environment might be the culprit. To find out if my doctor was right, I ran a few home tests and took a Mycotoxin mold urine test. The results were shocking: my home was full of hidden mold spores and mycotoxins.

Mold toxicity explained everything—the brain fog, the chemical sensitivities, the weight I couldn’t
lose, the anxiety, and the exhaustion that no amount of sleep could fix. My body wasn’t JUST fighting Lyme or MCAS anymore; it was fighting my moldy environment. Every breath I took was adding to my toxic load.

The questions began to swirl. Do we move out? Am I causing irreversible damage to myself and
my family by staying in this home? But anyone who’s dealt with mold illness knows that healing isn’t as simple as leaving the environment. Mold spores and mycotoxins can cling to everything — clothes, books, furniture, even your hair and skin. And once the immune system is sensitized, even the smallest exposure can send you spiraling again.

I needed something to bridge the gap between getting to a clean environment and recovering my body. That’s when I found Micro Balance Health Products. I remember when my medical team told me about Micro Balance. I desperately researched how to “detox my environment.” The company’s founder, Dr. Donald Dennis, was an ENT who understood the connection between environmental mold and chronic illness—something most doctors still dismiss. For the first time, I felt seen and maybe even hope.

After we hired a mold inspector, and received the results, I was told that the remediation team would not be able to start the project for weeks. That is when I decided I needed to take whatever action I could immediately to start lowering our exposure. I started small, with the EC3 Mold Spray. It’s a botanical, non-toxic spray designed to neutralize mold spores on surfaces, fabrics, and hard-to-clean areas. I sprayed everything — my clothes, bedding, furniture, even my car. Then I added the EC3 Air Purification Candles. I burned them daily, especially in rooms where I spent a lot of time in—my bedroom, office, and kitchen. Unlike scented candles that add more toxins to the air, these candles reduce mold spores and mycotoxins as they burn. It felt symbolic, too: the act of lighting a candle became a ritual, a sign of reclaiming my home and my health.

Alongside my medication and herbal treatments, within a few weeks, I could tell my nervous system was calming. My brain fog started to lift, my sleep became deeper, and I woke up with a bit more energy each morning. It wasn’t a miracle overnight, but it was steady progress—the kind that chronic illness warriors come to recognize as true healing.

As I continued to detox my environment, we found out that our front-loading washing machine had incredible mold growth, not only in the lip of the machine, but also in the drum. I immediately ordered a new washer and dryer, but I simultaneously added the EC3 Laundry Additive into my routine, which I still use today. I hadn’t realized how much mold can cling to clothing—even after washing. Throughout the day I would experience the sensation of being dizzy, or nauseous. The laundry additive changed that. It neutralized mold spores and mycotoxins that regular detergent couldn’t touch, and it didn’t have that harsh, chemical smell that would normally trigger my MCAS.

I began washing everything I owned with it—bedding, towels, clothes, even reusable masks and curtains. That constant low-grade reaction I used to get from wearing “clean” clothes finally stopped.
Bit by bit, I began to feel like myself again. Once I started treating my environment, my body began to heal.

Physical Healing is Only Part of the Story

Living with chronic illness — especially one as invisible and misunderstood as mold toxicity—can break your spirit. There’s a profound isolation that comes when people don’t believe you, when doctors roll their eyes, when friends drift away because you cancel plans one too many times. But as I began to clear mold from my environment, something else cleared too: the emotional heaviness that had settled in my body for years. My anxiety began to fade, my irritability softened, and I felt grounded again. My mind felt safe in my own body — something I hadn’t experienced in years.

I used to think I was “too sensitive.” I would equate this to be difficult or high maintenance. Now I understand that my body was brilliantly alert, doing its best to protect me from a toxic load it couldn’t handle. Mold was the silent enemy, but my sensitivity was the signal that led me to freedom.

Healing Isn’t Linear

Healing full of small victories and unexpected setbacks. There were days when I’d light my EC3 Candle, spray down my bedding, and still feel tired or inflamed. But I kept going, knowing that each effort was supporting my body’s ability to heal. I learned that true recovery means addressing every layer—body, mind, and environment. You can take all the supplements, binders, and treatments in the world, but if you’re still living in a moldy or contaminated space, you’re fighting an uphill battle.

Micro Balance gave me the tools to take my power back. It allowed me to create a safe home again — a space where my body could finally rest and heal instead of fighting to survive. And because the products are natural and gentle, I could use them freely without triggering my MCAS or chemical sensitivities.

Now, years later, I keep every single product stocked—the EC3 Spray, Candles and Laundry Additive. They’re my first line of defense, not just for mold but for peace of mind. I even travel with candles and mini spray bottles to hotel rooms or Airbnb’s, because once you’ve lived through mold illness, you never take a healthy environment for granted again.

When I look back on those dark years, I don’t see weakness anymore. I see resilience. I see a woman who refused to give up, even when every test, every doctor, and every friend made her feel crazy for chasing answers. I see someone who learned to trust her intuition when her body whispered—and later screamed—that something was wrong.

Mold illness taught me more about myself than I ever expected. It taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of environment in every aspect of health. It also deepened my mission with ARMUR—to help others understand that healing isn’t just about food or supplements, but about the spaces we live, breathe, and exist in.

There’s no quick fix for chronic illness, but there is hope—real, tangible hope. For me, that hope came through relentless research, deep self-advocacy, and the support of products that were created by people who understand. Micro Balance became more than a brand to me; it became a bridge back to health.

Today, I wake up with gratitude for the small things—clear lungs, energy to move my body, and a home that feels like a sanctuary instead of a trigger. I still maintain all the environmental hygiene practices I learned through this journey. My diffuser is now replaced by EC3 Candles, my cleaning sprays are botanical and mold-safe, and my laundry routine includes the additive that made such a difference.

It’s not about perfection—it’s about awareness. And awareness is everything. If you’re reading this and you’re still in the thick of chronic illness—exhausted, dismissed, and desperate for answers — please know it’s not all in your head. Your symptoms are real. Your environment matters. And healing is possible. Start by cleaning your air, your clothes, your surroundings. Support your body instead of fighting it. For me, it all began with one small step: a spray bottle, a candle, and a belief that maybe, just maybe, I could feel safe again.

Pain to Purpose

ARMUR was born out of my personal journey of resilience and healing. After being diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2021, my life completely shifted. What began as a battle for my own health evolved into a mission to help others reclaim theirs. Living with Lyme, mold toxicity, parasites, and MCAS taught me how deeply our environment, food, and daily choices impact our wellbeing. Through years of research, trial, and determination, I built ARMUR as a trusted resource for those seeking to take control of their health from the ground up—by creating cleaner environments, choosing safer products, and removing the hidden toxins that contribute to chronic illness.

At its core, ARMUR is about empowerment through awareness and action. We go directly into your home, assess every product—from cleaning supplies, cookware to personal care items—and remove anything that could be harming your health. Each toxic product is replaced with a safe, non-toxic alternative carefully vetted for purity, sustainability, and effectiveness. ARMUR is more than a brand; it’s a movement toward living intentionally, protecting our bodies, and supporting one another on the path to true wellness.

This pain to purpose mission is now my life’s work and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know in my heart of hearts, that I am here to help others. If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic illness, it would be my absolute honor to help you in your health journey.

With love and light,
Alexandra